"With the ideal amount of repetition and inviting, warmly illustrated characters, Zeki Goes to the Market is an ideal story for a young child, particularly ones who are endlessly curious about the world around them."
– Children's Books Ireland
Full review here
– Children's Books Ireland
Full review here
What people are saying. . .
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Warm, cosy and inclusive, the Zeki books are one of my favourite picture book series for the very young"
– Charlotte Eyre Children's Previewer, The Bookseller 
Jill Bennet - the Red Reading Hub
Bursting with goodness! No matter where little Zeki goes he always brings a big smile to the faces of those he encounters. He definitely does just that when he and his Mummy visit the bustling Saturday market. There he experiences a veritable symphony of sights, sounds, smells and tastes as they stop at various stalls. There’s Salvatore whose pasta shapes are fascinating to look at, Fleur who makes smoothies; Zeki tastes a very fruity one. Next stop is at Mr Adams the spice seller where Zeki smells what appear to be cinnamon sticks – mmmm – a delicious aroma (as well as a yummy taste when ground and sprinkled on porridge perhaps). Zora offers the boy a taste of her sweet, sticky buns – maybe those have sprinkling of cinnamon in them, they’re definitely irresistible. Miss Fay suggests a dab of belly butter ‘for a better belly’; it makes Zeki’s skin extra soft and smooth. Mum then decides it’s time for a short rest; she puts down her heavy bag and treats herself to a cup of Paloma’s delectable hot chilli chocolate (my favourite too). Feeling refreshed she moves on and buys take-home noodles from Yuto before making her final purchase at Sean’s veggie stall. Finally with a goodbye wave, Mum and Zeki set off home. There’s SO much goodness packed into this small book. It would be really fun if adult sharers could have to hand some of the items Zeki’s Mummy bought to enable small children to share in Zeki’s sensory samplings. The Little Reading Corner
In this delightful story, little Zeki and his mummy set off on their Saturday adventure to the bustling Saturday market; and what an adventure it is! Together, they weave through a vibrant tapestry of colourful stalls, brimming with mouthwatering smells, delicious tastes, and a symphony of sounds and laughter. Every page is a celebration of community, family, and the everyday magic found in multicultural neighbourhoods. What makes this story even more special is how different languages are seamlessly sprinkled throughout. Honestly a gentle, joyful nod to the rich diversity that makes our world so exciting. Little readers will love spotting familiar foods, hearing snippets of different greetings, and feeling like they’re right there with Zeki, tasting, smelling, and soaking up the wonder of it all. With Ruth Hearson’s warm, expressive illustrations and Anna McQuinn’s beautifully simple storytelling, Zeki Goes to the Market isn’t just a book it’s an experience. Perfect for storytime snuggles, sparking conversations about community, culture, and the joy of everyday adventures. Whether you’re already a Zeki fan or meeting him for the first time, this book is sure to win hearts AND maybe even inspire a real life trip to your local market! |
Bursting with goodness This beautifully illustrated story is perfect for curious young readers and a joy to share at storytime. 
a small but perfect package! A Library Lady - Anne Thompson
Regular readers of this blog will already be aware that I rate the Zeki series highly. More importantly, my 2 year old grandson adores these stories of a little boy and his daily life. Published by Alanna Max these books are full of joy and family love but also the small details that have big importance in children’s lives. It is these recognisable details, I think, that make these books so relatable to little ones. Sharing Zeki and his world with the young children in your lives is guaranteed to produce smiles and encourage a growing appreciation of books. In the latest title, Zeki Goes to the Market, we accompany Zeki and his mum as they explore a Saturday market together. The market provides an ideal opportunity for little Zeki to meet new people and to experience new food and, given the diversity of the stall holders, new languages too. What a learning opportunity for the little chap, and of course for our little readers and listeners! Each double page spread introduces a new stall holder, a new language and an appropriate food. It is clear that a great deal of time and thought has gone into this process. Starting with Salve, Salvatore! and moving through Bonjour, Fleur! and my own particular favourite, Hola, Paloma! each friendly store holder tempts Zeki with a tasty offering. The vocabulary used is a joy to read aloud and provides children with the idea of a sensory experience even though they are not tasting the foods described. For example, “Zeki sips a fruity smoothie.”, ” Smell the spices. Add a sprinkle for zip and zest.” and “Have a taste. The honey buns are sweet and sticky.” Sharing this book may provide the opening to try experimenting with some of the foods mentioned allowing children to participate in Zeki’s experience. As ever the illustrations by Ruth Hearson are just perfect. Full of colour, which changes for each stall, and detail they encourage conversation and there are some clever touches that children may enjoy noticing. Regular readers will spot Mr. Seahorse, Zeki’s treasured cuddly, hiding in the basket behind his push along trike. This basket gradually fills with items as Mummy and Zeki explore the many tempting stalls too. I hadn’t noticed but have been prompted to spot that the wrapper from Mummy’s well earned coffee cup finds its way on to Zeki’s arm by the end of the story. There are no doubt more hidden details that I have not picked up on! Zeki Goes to the Market is another small but perfect package and will be treasured by my favourite little bookworm I am sure. Published by Alanna Max Books in May this is a must buy for Early Years settings and would be perfect for families too. If you have not already read the other Zeki books I wholeheartedly recommend them and you may like to start with Zeki Rise and Shine and Zeki Sleep Tight, perfect for starting and ending baby’s day. |
We like to include Goodreads and Amazon reviews as these are people who've not been sent review copies and just post for the love of the books! Check back later for these.